Kenyon Market Sold to New Local Owners

After announcing earlier this summer the market was for sale or may close, Pete Wagner, owner of Kenyon Market in Kenyon confirmed a deal has been reached to sell the store to new local owners, …

A New Season: KW School Board Candidates Up for Election

With a new election season in full swing, many changes are on the horizon. Candidates are running for many offices this season, including the KW School Board. The Messenger recently was able to hear …

Congratulations to our 2026 King Oliver Bauer and Queen Peytyn Feyereisn

Victorian Funeral at the Alexander Faribault House

You are cordially invited to experience death and the Faribault House like never before. Join the Rice County Historical Society for a Victorian Funeral at the Alexander Faribault House (12 1st …

Second half property tax payments due Oct. 15

Rice County second half property taxes for real/personal property are due Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. Payments can be made in person via cash, check or money order at the Property Tax & Elections …

County Attorney’s Office rolls out public-facing portal providing quick access to criminal case records

As part of its mission to support crime victims and seek justice for our community, the Rice County Attorney’s Office created a public-facing portal, providing public information and …

Learn About Stopping the Spread of Invasive Species at Upcoming Webinar

Join the Cannon River Watershed Joint Powers Organization as they host the first session of the virtual learning series Land to Lake Lectures. Invasive species can quickly take over natural areas, …

More Local News

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

A year ago, I had an hour to pass waiting for someone at St. Mary’s Hospital. I was looking for something to do while they had a test and took the occasion to walk to the patient and visitor …

An Inconvenient Study

Science is a powerful tool. A tool can be used for good, or it can be used improperly, which can result in significant harm. True science is the observation of causes and reactions in a controlled …

A Minnesotan:

The longer I live in the Cities I have become more and more aware of what my husband likes to call the pumpkin spice monsters. A pumpkin spice monster is one who goes crazy for pumpkin spice as soon …

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Obituaries

Susan Kay Windhorst

Susan Kay Windhorst; 79, of Wanamingo passed away unexpectedly Friday, September 25, 2026, at her home. She was born in Red Wing on April 15, 1947, to Garvin and Helen (Swanson) Broin. She graduated …

Joann Rosemary (Bird) Atkinson

Joann Rosemary (nèe Bird) Atkinson, 89, of Zumbrota, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 27, 2026. She was born on October 15, 1936, in Minneapolis, MN to Robert and Hazel (nèe …

David George Inman

David George Inman, 79, of Kenyon, died on September 18, 2026, at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. He was born April 2, 1947, in Northfield, the son of Frederick and Kathleen (Sacht) Inman. David …

Joyce Sanford Fredrickson

Joyce Sanford Fredrickson, 95, of Wanamingo, MN, passed away Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester, MN. He was born on March 7, 1931, in Faribault, MN, to Joseph and …

Raymond “Ray” Howard Sands

Raymond “Ray” Howard Sands, 95, of Kenyon, died on Monday, September 14, 2026, at his home with his daughters by his side. Ray Sands, a lifelong musician, farmer, was born January 9, 1931, on …

Kenyon-Wanamingo Messenger September 2026 Issue 2

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Community

K-W Noble Knights of the Week for 9-25-26

Front Row: Violet Greseth KG Mrs. Cheryl Dahl Oliver Strand KG Mrs. Mandi Kyllo-Lunde Brooks Falenschek Gr. 1 Mrs. Katie Benbrooks Addelyn Gearhart Gr. 1 Mr. Tony Donkers Kian Chang …

Rice County Public Health flu shot clinics open to public

Rice County Public Health has scheduled the following public flu vaccination clinics in Rice County. Both trivalent and high dose flu vaccine will be available. Registration for flu vaccine is …

Big Moving Sale

Big Moving sale: Kitchen/household, antiques, collectables, books, old/newer tools, furniture, large dog carrier, miscellaneous. Wed 9/30, 2-7 pm Thur-Sat 10/1-10/3, 9-6 pm 11002 460th St, …

Community

Randy Hockinson Inducted into Minnesota Region 1A Hall of Fame

Retired Kenyon-Wanamingo Activities Director Randy Hockinson (right) was inducted into the Minnesota Region 1A Hall of Fame on September 21 at the Rochester Event Center. Matt Nelson (left), a …

New ALICE Data Shows Rising Cost of Basics Historically Outpaces Overall Inflation in Minnesota

Red Wing– The cost of household necessities in Minnesota has risen faster than inflation for more than 15 years, leaving many households vulnerable to the growing affordability crisis, …

Board OKs preliminary levy that includes more than $1.5M in cost shifts

The Rice County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a preliminary 2027 levy and budget with the levy 8% higher than this year, largely due to funding shifts from the state and federal …

Immigration insights: Tears and action follow ICE raids in southwest Kansas

DODGE CITY — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived in southwest Kansas on Sept. 22 and departed three days later, leaving fear, uncertainty and anger. Many in the Hispanic and Latino communities in Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal, where most ICE activity was located, returned to work this week. But their fear persists […]

Buddy Guy celebrated at Radio City Music Hall with a sold-out ‘Buddy’s Got the Blues’ show

Blues great Buddy Guy was celebrated Thursday night with a sold-out show at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Fellow legend Bobby Rush said he would have walked from Mississippi to be part of the celebration.

How many Republicans will vote for a Black man for governor?

“Although slavery may have been abolished, the crippling poison of racism still persists, and the struggle still continues.” — Harry Belafonte, 2010 With U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds one step closer to the Governor’s Mansion, Republicans in general and MAGA in particular face a choice: Will they vote for a Black man to be Florida’s chief […]

Curtis Bay Energy will end incineration of medical waste under agreement with state

State officials hailed the news that the troubled Curtis Bay Energy facility will stop burning medical waste at its South Baltimore site in order to settle a Maryland Department of the Environment lawsuit charging the company with repeated air pollution violations.

Iowa lawmakers approve bill allowing $1.4B in tax incentives for steel mill project

Iowa lawmakers sent Gov. Kim Reynolds a bill Friday changing a state’s economic development program that could provide nearly $1.4 billion in tax incentives for a $15 billion steel mill project planned in southeast Iowa. Lawmakers called it the largest economic development deal in the state’s history. The Iowa House approved House File 2801 in […]